Over the past five seasons, the New York Jets have experienced a series of memorable events despite the lack of big wins. No wonder the Jets became a common betting choice on the GGBet site. So how did we get here? These are the top five moments that defined the last five seasons for the New York Jets.
During the 2020 season, the New York Jets reached a critical moment with long-term consequences for the team. They experienced a winless drought to start the season, with a point differential of -214. They then claimed their first victory against the Los Angeles Rams, getting an unexpected victory 23-20. The Jets players couldn’t hide their joy on the field at SoFi Stadium. The nightmare came to an end after 13 games. Moreover, they managed to beat one of the top teams in the NFC.
The Jets saved their reputation from the embarrassing 0-16 results by the end of the season. This didn’t save them from the contention for the overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars became the first to pick quarterback Trevor Lawrence, while the Jets had to pick Zach Wilson. This event determined a series of events that had a direct impact on the team’s performance in the following years.
The 2021-22 season is probably the weakest period in the Jet’s history. Was it a failure of the coaching team or the players? This remains a subject of discussion. This season saw the Jets grappling with on-field challenges.
The team ended the season with a poor result, landing at the bottom of the AFC East. Even though the team seemed to improve their performance under head coach Robert Saleh, they still experienced in-game problems. A top quarterback Zach Wilson, the second choice in the 2021 NFL Draft, had a few injuries and failed to show consistent results. Fortunately, Quinnen Williams managed to build a strong defense which saved the team from the total collapse. Michael Carter and Elijah Moore also demonstrated a good potential for the future.
The whole season became transformative for the team. Despite the struggles, the Jets kept Robert Saleh as their coach, believing in his defensive mindset and leadership. Instead, they made coaching staff changes by hiring Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator in 2023.
To improve their situation in the quarterback position, the Jets invited the 41-year-old returned veteran, Aaron Rodgers. The acquisition caused optimism among fans and critics. Rodgers could improve the team’s performance using his extensive skills. However, the season took an unexpected turn when Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon during his first game. He obviously couldn’t play for the rest of the season. Without their top quarterback, the Jets showed poor performance and missed playoffs.
Rodgers returned to the team in 2024. His involvement didn’t have a drastic impact on their performance despite all the positive expectations. Rodgers’s QBR of 48.1 guaranteed him a 25th rating among qualified NFL quarterbacks. The Jets ended up with a 5-12 record.
The Jets started the 2024 season with Rodgers returning to the lineup. Despite his presence, the team faced ongoing difficulties. The poor performance required significant organizational changes. They fired head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. This decision came after a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was hired as the interim head coach. In the offseason, Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey were hired as the new head coach and general manager, marking a fresh start for the team. The minimum plan was to at least make the playoffs. Well, the struggles persisted. The Jets failed to show the performance required to compete in the NFL. They didn’t get into the playoffs, ending the season with a 5-12 record. It seemed to become obvious that Johnson, Joe Douglas, Aaron Rodgers, and others all needed to go.
In February 2025, the Jets made the difficult decision to get away from Aaron Rodgers. The owners considered the player’s earlier injury, poor performance, and internal friction. His active presence on social media and absence from team activities caused conflicts between players. Despite financial losses, the decision to terminate a contract with Rodgers became a necessary step toward rebuilding the team.
New general manager Darren Mougey has the seventh pick in April 2025. With Justin Fields at QB, will he pass on a weak QB class this year and fill other needs? As the Jets move forward, the focus shifts to rebuilding and establishing a strong foundation. The new leadership duo of Glenn and Mougey faces the challenge of addressing the team’s needs, especially at the quarterback position. Creating a positive team culture will be essential in overcoming the setbacks of previous seasons.
The past five seasons have been a chaotic period for the New York Jets. Critical decisions, unforeseen challenges, and significant organizational changes had a direct impact on the team’s performance. Each key moment has contributed to building the current team. While the 2025 season is unfolding, we will see how the New York Jets perform by the end of the season.